Sports Clothing Dispute.

34. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the action he will take to resolve the ongoing dispute between the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Athletics Association of Ireland in view of the negative impact the dispute is having on Irish athletes and on Irish sport internationally. [11594/00]

35. Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the discussions he has had with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Athletics Association of Ireland regarding the dispute over the clothing to be worn by Irish track and field athletes at the Olympic Games in Sydney; if he will take all possible steps to ensure that the preparation of athletes is not disrupted by this dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11593/00]

261. Mr. Roche asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the disquiet among the public at the continuing failure of the Olympic Council of Ireland to resolve its differences with the Athletics Association of Ireland; and the plans, if any, he has to request both bodies to agree to resolve their differences by way of arbitration at an early date in order to avoid any unnecessary pressure being placed on Irish athletes in the period prior to the Olympic Games. [11598/00]

In common with the majority of the Irish people, and especially in my capacity as Minister, I am anxious that the 2000 Olympic Games should not see a repeat of the very unsavoury and public differences that occurred between the Irish athletics and Olympic organisations in Atlanta in 1996.

Over the past 12 months I have been in contact with both the Olympic Council of Ireland and the relevant athletics organisation - originally BLE and more recently the Athletics Association of Ireland - urging them, in the strongest possible terms, to resolve their difficulties in relation to the gear issue well in advance of Sydney 2000. The Irish Sports Council has also been involved in similar contacts.

Despite our best efforts, however, and despite reassurances from both bodies that they would endeavour to have the matter resolved, they remain entrenched in their conflicting positions. Disappointed at the failure of the council and the association to find a compromise, and seriously concerned at the effect the dispute could have on our athletes as they prepare for the biggest event of their sporting lives, I recently took the unusual step of writing to the relevant international organisations - the International Olympic Council and the International Amateur Athletics Federation - seeking clarification and guidance in the matter. In reply, I was informed that the Association of the Summer Olympics International Federations, including the IAAF, is to discuss the gear issue at a meeting which takes place in Lausanne tomorrow, 19 April.

Last week, in the course of separate meetings which I held with the senior representatives of the OCI and the AAI, both undertook to meet promptly to consider the outcome of the Lausanne discussions and to report back to me immediately thereafter, hopefully with an agreed resolution.

I assure this House of my continuing commitment to having this matter resolved in the interest of our athletes whose psychological and mental preparation for the Games is as important as their physical fitness, in the interest of preserving Ireland's image abroad and, not least, in the interest of the Irish sporting public.

Mr. Allen: Does the Minister agree our top athletes are being used as hostages in a power struggle between the two organisations, the Olympic Council of Ireland and the AAI, which, in signing their respective contracts with Adidas and Asics, knew they would be entering into confrontation with each other as a result? Does he agree that not only have these organisations treated our athletes in a despicable way but they are bringing the good name of Irish sport into disrepute?

Has the Minister demanded - I use the word "demanded" rather than requested - that these two organisations submit their respective cases to an independent mediator or arbitrator?

Dr. McDaid: The answer to all the Deputy's questions is yes. I acknowledge the co-operation I have received from all sides of this Houses on this thorny issue. I understand that in the post-Atlanta period, the Deputy tried to bring this matter to a conclusion and that he informed them of his disapproval of the events which happened in Atlanta. Unfortunately, this matter has gone on. They have undoubtedly tarnished the image of Irish sport in the past and are making an effort to do so again.

I have not demanded but requested that an arbitrator or a mediator-arbitrator be appointed but this has been refused. In fairness to the Athletics Association of Ireland, I must make it clear that it has come forward and is prepared to compromise. It has brought forward proposals to me in order to compromise and is prepared to accept mediation and arbitration. I hope that is the way forward. Unfortunately, the president of the Olympic Council of Ireland is entrenched in his position and he sees no need for arbitration. As has already been pointed out, if he feels so sure of his footing in this instance, I see no reason he cannot accept a mediator-arbitrator.

Mr. O'Shea: Does the Minister agree that this unedifying spectacle is totally at variance with the Olympic charter which seeks to build a peaceful and better world and requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play? Does he further agree that, in effect, the Olympic Council of Ireland is thumbing its nose at the Minister, the Government and the Dáil, bringing the image of the country into disrepute and putting pressure on our athletes, that this conduct is totally unacceptable and that the Olympic Council of Ireland should take up the Minister's offer given that the Athletics Association of Ireland has indicated it will take up his offer of mediation?

Will the Minister make a specific proposal and put a time frame on this issue? This cannot be allowed to drift on because the country is being brought into greater disrepute as each day passes. What are young people looking at this spectacle thinking? Young people involved in sport are witnessing this type of carry on and athletes are the last people to be considered. This spectacle is all about rule books and positions.

Dr. McDaid: This squabble, which should have been settled at national level, is now on the international stage and will be discussed at Lausanne tomorrow. I am not hopeful in regard to the meeting in Lausanne. It is totally against the spirit of the Olympic movement. The leader of the Olympic movement in Ireland appears to be totally entrenched and unwilling to compromise on this issue because he says and he appears to have right on his side. I am not here to decide who is right and who is wrong. There should be a compromise. Some 200 countries are involved in the Olympic movement and this country is the only one which has not resolved this dispute. I cannot put a time frame on this matter.

There were reports in the media yesterday suggesting that certain athletes could be just spectators. I would like to clarify that. The point being made is that an athlete who does not sign a contract with the Olympic Council of Ireland will not go to Sydney. That is the bottom line about which the president of the Olympic Council of Ireland has told me. Athletes have to sign this contract and accept whatever happens after it has been signed. We must understand that these Olympic athletes will sign the contract - there is no question about that - because going to the Olympics is the pinnacle of any athlete's career. These athletes will sign the contract and will undoubtedly go to the Olympics but, unfortunately, their mental attitude to these Games is being disrupted. I hope there will be a resolution and that the issue can be taken out of the public domain as soon as possible.

Mr. Allen: I agree with the Minister that the athletes concerned are to be pitied. They are pawns or hostages in a power struggle between two very strong organisations. Will the Minister consider using the ultimate sanction of withdrawing or substantially reducing funds to these organisations until such time as they act in a decent way, but not this year because we do not want to affect the performance of our athletes in an Olympic year? I appeal to those at the top on the Olympic Council of Ireland to put Ireland first and not their own powerful positions, to come to their senses and think of the country before themselves. I appeal to these organisations to submit to an independent arbitrator or mediator for the sake of the good name of Irish sport.

Dr. McDaid: I will take the Deputy's view on board. I have told both organisations that the only area of leverage I have relates to funding and have assured them that I will not use that in the run-up to the Olympics because we cannot be seen to be interfering with that. I informed them that this issue must be resolved before we meet to discuss the strategy for next year and that, given that funding will be withheld next year if they do not resolve the issue, they should resolve it before this year's Olympics rather than after. I will take on board the Deputy's proposal.

Mr. O'Shea: One of the marks of the Olympic movement is its opposition to commercial abuse of sports and athletes. The movement sees itself and sport as building bridges between people all over the world and as a means of promoting peace, but that perception has been totally shattered by this ongoing sham battle which is not about any substantial issue but is really about power bases. I support the call from the Minister and Deputy Allen for the two bodies to get together and, in a constructive spirit, in a spirit of solidarity, resolve this matter quickly in the interests of the country, because we cannot possibly allow a repetition of the incident that occurred in Atlanta in 1996 involving one of our best medal prospects at that time, Sonia O'Sullivan. What is happening is totally and utterly at variance with the spirit-----

An Ceann Comhairle: The time available for these questions is up. The Minister may want to comment briefly.

Dr. McDaid: I will take on board the proposals of both Deputies. What is happening is a total sham. The Joint Presidents of the National Athletics and Cultural Association, Nick Davis and Michael Heery, have tried to compromise on this issue and are willing to accept arbitration. Unfortunately, that has not been reciprocated on the other side. I will take the Deputies' views on board.

Regional Tourism Authorities.

36. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he is proposing to restructure the regional tourism authorities. [11595/00]

Dr. McDaid: The Regional Tourism Authorities were established by Bord Fáilte, under the Tourist Traffic Acts, for the promotion and development of tourism on a regional basis. In line with the commitment set out in the Government's An Action Programme for the Millennium, Bord Fáilte initiated a review of the RTAs during 1999. The objective of the review is to ensure that RTAs are positioned to make the optimum contribution to the realisation of national tourism objectives and targets set by Government while taking into account regional priorities and customer focus. In the context of the review, a report on the RTAs was commissioned by Bord Fáilte from Fitzpatrick Associates.

The outcome of the review will help to achieve an improved delineation of RTA functions and objectives within overall State tourism architecture. Discussions are currently nearing conclusion between officials from my Department and Bord Fáilte on issues arising from the review process, and should be completed by early May. Once these discussions have been finalised, I expect that Bord Fáilte will call a meeting of representatives of the RTAs with a view to informing them of the outcome of the review and setting out their vision for future RTAs.

Mr. Allen: Can I take it from the Minister's response that he is in possession of the report. Would he agree that it is time to look at the whole fragmented approach to the marketing and development of tourism in the regions, particularly given that there are about nine organisations doing the same job? When does the Minister hope to be in a position to make hard decisions?

Dr. McDaid: I have the report. We have gone through it and that process is nearing conclusion. Other issues have been taking up my time in the interim. The report is being widely discussed with the various interested bodies within tourism in the regions. Those discussions are nearing conclusion at which stage the report will be published.

I agree with the Deputy that there are far too many bodies dealing with the whole tourism area. We have an industry which is made up of so many independent yet at the same time interdependent factors. There is a huge amount of overlapping and this report will, I hope, do something to restructure all of that.

37. Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when money allocated under the national development plan will be available for drawing down; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that regional tourism offices have no information on the funds, which is leading to problems for those who wish to start planning projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11597/00]

Dr. McDaid: The National Development Plan, 2000-2006, has now been published and includes an outline of the Government's proposals for the development of the tourism industry over that period. Under the plan, I have succeeded in obtaining in excess of £350 million specifically for tourism marketing, product development and training over the next seven years.

The plan provides for two Regional Operational Programmes, one for the Border, Midlands and Western Region and one for the Southern and Eastern Region. The £100 million, which I have obtained for development of tourism product, will be delivered under these programmes. These programmes will also include funds under the aegis of other Ministers in areas such as marine leisure, angling and rural tourism, while expenditure in the cultural development and micro-enterprise areas will also support the development of tourism product.

My Department is negotiating with the Department of Finance on the tourism content of these programmes. The programmes will have to be agreed by the Regional Assemblies and forwarded to Brussels. It will take another few months for Brussels to sign off on the operational programmes. It is possible, that it may be into the Autumn before all the relevant structures are put in place.

As the operational programmes are under negotiation, Deputies will understand that I cannot go into too much detail on their possible content. Nevertheless, I have made it plain on more than one occasion that the focus should be on the creation of a small number of strategically located major attractions in areas where such do not already exist, the clustering of existing smaller-scale attractions and the development of special-interest activities, especially those involving a combination of outdoor pursuits such as cycling, walking and horse riding as well as developing activities for disabled visitors.

As the National Development Plan indicates, the bias of tourism product spend will be towards those areas which are less developed in tourism terms. Strengthening these areas will be part of a strategy to distribute the benefits of tourism more widely.

As far as decision-making structures are concerned, I have proposed a continuation of the independent Product Management Board model - one for each Region - which worked well during the lifetime of the last Tourism Operational Programme. However, delivery mechanisms and institutional arrangements for the operational programmes are still under consideration.

There will have to be a thorough awareness and information campaign by the relevant tourism bodies, and I also envisage that there will be competition for the product development funds. Bearing that in mind, it would be unrealistic to expect major product decisions before the end of the year.

As soon as details of the operational programmes are agreed with the Regional Assemblies and the European Commission, all the regional tourism authorities will be given full details of the type of product eligible for support under the plan and asked to embark on an information and awareness-creating drive in their regions.

Mr. O'Shea: We on this side of the House welcome the programme. However, the concerns that gave rise to this question relate to the time lag towards the end of the year. If the regions do not know what is available to them until the end of the year it will be difficult to plan effectively for the new tourism season. Does the Minister agree it is vital that information is made available as speedily as possible? Is there any way in which he can brief those organisations on what is likely to arise so we do not lose momentum in marketing and developing our tourism product?

Dr. McDaid: To clarify the issue, the money under the national development plan is going towards marketing and training. As regards the product and what can be applied for, these issues are for the next operational programme. On marketing, I have had discussions across the tourism industry with the unions, ITIC and Bord Fáilte and we have put plans in place for a marketing strategy that I will announce shortly. They are satisfied we have come to an agreement on that issue. We will not know until well into the autumn the criteria as regards grant aid for a tourism product, be it a leisure centre or whatever, as we have not agreed them with Brussels.

Mr. O'Shea: What role will the regional tourism organisations have in the various parts of the operational programme? Will they have a pivotal role or will part of their role be subsumed into the regional assemblies?

Dr. McDaid: On the last occasion we had the independent product management board. In the BMW region and the southern eastern region a similar committee will be set up to deal with the type of product it believes is best suited to those regions. It will be involved. Discussions are taking place with the regional assemblies, the Department of Finance and Brussels. The matter will go back to an independent board that must be agreed by each of the assemblies in the regions. They will be brought into the picture.

Skills Shortages.

Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will consider setting up a tourism showcase involving the participation of the private sector due to the huge skills shortages in the tourism industry with the main objective of this tourism showcase being to attract foreign nationals to work in the Irish tourism sector.

Dr. McDaid: A report commissioned by CERT and published last year entitled "Hospitality 2000", quantified the skills shortages facing the tourism industry up to 2005. This report highlighted two major challenges facing the industry, namely the recruitment of new entrants and the retention and development of existing staff.

CERT has been working with industry partners to address the challenges set out in the report. Implementation of the recommendations will require the industry to commit additional resources to develop and retain valuable staff and find ways to achieve excellence and improve productivity with the same or fewer people.

Meanwhile CERT is continuing to promote recruitment to the industry through a variety of strategic interventions which to date have proved important in maintaining recruitment numbers to formal craft level training. The main objective of these interventions is to highlight to young people, those returning to work and other categories of potential employees, the advantages of a career in a fast growing successful industry.

Recently, I launched CERT's new nation-wide programme to encourage people who have been out of the workforce for a long time to take up a career in the tourism industry. This follows on from another scheme launched in May 1999 in Ballymun, targeted at long-term unemployed blackspots, which has proved very popular and successful, with participants being virtually guaranteed jobs on successful completion of the courses.

As the State tourism training agency, it is part of CERT's remit to help promote careers in hospitality and tourism and, in conjunction with the sector, to help recruit people into training for the industry. Each year it organises a major recruitment campaign in Ireland. The campaign is implemented in partnership with representatives from the Irish Hotels Federation, Restaurants Association of Ireland, Vintners Federation of Ireland and the Licensed Vintners Association and is targeted at second level students from transition year to leaving certificate level. It includes a national careers road show which is supported by a major media and advertising campaign. As part of this road show, personnel from the main employer bodies attend and give first hand experience of work in the industry and, in the case of IHF members, this usually involves tours of their premises. CERT also attends the main career exhibitions, together with representatives of the IHF and RAI.

Additional Information

In 1998, in response to ongoing staff shortages in the industry, CERT initiated a pilot recruitment drive in the UK to attract Irish tourism workers back to Ireland. Both the Irish Hotels Federation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland were approached to participate in the project. However, the project failed to meet its targets and was not continued. Since then, tourism employers have participated in recruitment fairs in Wales and Scotland which have proved very successful in attracting staff to Ireland. They are due to participate further in focused recruitment in England, France, Spain, Sweden, Finland and Greece. Irish participation in fairs such as these is co-ordinated by FÁS, which welcomes employers to participate with it at these fairs. I understand the Irish Hotels Federation, Irish hotel groups and individual hotels are also participating in EURES, the European Employment Service, to help satisfy labour supply in the hospitality sector.

I am also aware that a number of private sector recruitment agencies are actively engaged in recruiting workers from overseas for employment in the hospitality industry. Under the new national development plan, my Department will work closely with CERT to identify the most appropriate focus for its activities in the future and the specific measures which should be taken to help address the requirements of the industry in an increasingly competitive labour market.

Mr. Perry: Does the Minister agree we must expand the focus of the recruitment drive particularly as 87% of restaurant owners in the west have great difficulty in getting staff? Is the Minister aware that 120 new hotels opened in the past two and a half years? They are quality hotels but unfortunately do not have a quality service. There are 40 hotels planned for this year, but there are not any staff. Will the Minister look seriously at the future role of non-nationals and at having a recruitment drive early in the year when it would be possible for people to give a commitment to work in the industry? There are 8,000 vacancies. Does the Minister agree that while CERT is doing an outstanding job, training must be industry led in the future?

Dr. McDaid: I agree that it should be industry led. There is unquestionably a problem in the labour area not just in this sector but in other sectors.

Mr. Perry: None as important as this at present.

Dr. McDaid: It is a problem for the tourism and other industries . As regards non-nationals, it is important to have a training programme so that our standards can be maintained. There is a pool of Irish labour into which we are still trying to tap. We are trying to get as many long-term unemployed Irish people back to work. Two weeks ago I introduced a return to work programme to people - men but more particularly women - who had been out of the workforce for a long period asking them to come back into training. There is a vast pool in the age group 35-plus who for various reasons, perhaps child-rearing, being involved in voluntary work and so on, have been out of work and who could be enticed back into the labour force. It has been very successful and we had to set up extra training in some areas. CERT has been doing tremendous work.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: The time for this question has expired.

Dr. McDaid: There is a return to work programme, courses for the unemployed, exhibitions, school talks, guidance counsellors-----

Mr. Perry: The message is not getting through.

Dr. McDaid: The problem is not confined to this sector. The Irish Hotels Federation has pointed out that the minimum wage is not a problem. I thought it would be for this more than any other sector but it has had little or no impact on the industry.

National Drugs Strategy.

39. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the extent to which budgetary provision has been drawn down by the local drugs task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7670/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Mr. E. Ryan): The Government has provided annual funding of up to £10 million in the Vote of my Department since its establishment for the drugs initiative, which has been used to implement over 200 pilot projects in the action plans of the local drugs task forces, pending evaluation as to suitability for mainstreaming. This funding is transferred, on request, to other Departments and agencies who oversee the operation of the individual projects and act as channels of funding to the approved projects. Expenditure under the drugs initiative provision in the years 1997-9 has been £1,584 million, £3,888 million and £4.941 million, respectively.

In this context, mainstreaming refers to the process whereby projects which are evaluated and found to be effective, continue to receive funding, as appropriate, through relevant Departments or agencies in accordance with agreed protocols. Evaluation has commenced and conclusions are expected to become available from this process from the end of this month.

Meanwhile, the Government has approved continuation of the local drugs task forces for a further two years and has allocated a further £15 million over the two years to enable them to up-date their action plans. These plans are expected to be submitted around the middle of this year when the evaluation of the projects referred to above has been completed.

Mr. O'Shea: The reason for tabling this question is that there is a perception that many of the projects are not being approved. While announcements regarding the amounts of money are being made, the actual amount drawn down is small by comparison. Will the Minister of State comment on that perception?

Mr. E. Ryan: I do not know how that perception could be out there. If the local drugs task forces are seeking money we are allocating funding. To be honest, the position is the contrary. We have more money than is being drawn down - that is the reversal of the perception. I shall meet the national drugs team shortly and shall inform them that further money is available and will encourage them to sanction more projects so that we can fund them. I do not understand the perception outlined by the Deputy.

Mr. O'Shea: Will the Minister of State say if there is a high level of refusal of projects, in other words, projects not being approved? Has he statistical or other information in that regard?

Mr. E. Ryan: In 1997 the Government approved funding for more than 200 projects from the local drugs task forces plans at a cost of £10 million. Since then on an annual basis an amount of £10 million has been provided for the national drugs initiative. To date, £11.33 million has been drawn down by these projects with a further £2.8 million being processed. This amount includes interim funding to those projects which have used up their initial one year budgets pending their formal evaluation. A total of 131 projects are in receipt of interim funding. A question that has struck me since coming into this Department is that while we have funds, why are more projects not being submitted. When I meet the national drugs team I shall ask why they are not using the money available. It is certainly not being refused.

Mr. Allen: What the Minister of State has said is new to me. Is he saying in respect of projects approved in 1997, because of their nature and the organisations that had to come together to get them off the ground and where costs have escalated and there is a genuine problem due to delays, there is money available to complete those projects?

Mr. E. Ryan: There is a problem with the young peoples services and facilities fund. This is causing-----

Mr. Allen: It is not that one.

Mr. E. Ryan: That is causing a certain number of problems. People applied for a certain amount of money, costs escalated and they did not get it. The position with the local drugs task forces money is as I have outlined. Funds are available and I intend to ask them to use up those funds for other projects.

Irish Sports Council.

40. Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the support and funding to be provided for the development of local sports and recreation programmes in view of the commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11480/00]

Dr. McDaid: The Irish Spots Council's recently finalised Statement of Strategy for 200-2002, includes the planning for, and support of, the future development of Irish sport in association with a number of agencies. A copy of the strategy will be laid before each House shortly.

In line with the commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness the Irish Sports Council is currently working on its proposals to develop local sport and recreational programmes, through the establishment of local sports partnerships.

In developing these proposals the Irish Sports Council will engage, in the course of this year, with the relevant statutory agencies and community and voluntary interests in identifying the issues which need to be addressed. They expect to have final proposals ready for consideration by my Department in the context of the Estimates for 2001.

Mr. S. Ryan: The Minister said the Irish Spots Council will identify the needs of local sports partnerships. Is this not passing the buck further? Is the Minister aware, while acknowledging the finance provided to national organisations, there are thousands of sporting and youth organisations throughout the length and breadth of the country which get little or nothing to assist them in providing sport, recreation and youth facilities? For example, in my county council area the vast majority of sport organisations get about £100 per year. What will he do about this?

Dr. McDaid: There are a number of organisations dealing with youth and sport throughout the country. I disagree with the Deputy who said there are thousands of them. He must understand the youth and sport organisations do not come under the aegis of my Department. My Department has responsibility for the sports capital programme whereas my colleague, Deputy O'Dea, has responsibility for youth and sport. We have an agreement with the VEC which is the medium for funding youth and sport organisations. I agree that perhaps there should be more funding since we are all seeking to increase our budgets. I presume the Deputy is speaking from an administrative point of view. Youth and sport organisations do not come within my Department's area of responsibility and administration is dealt with elsewhere.

Mr. G. Mitchell: Will the Minister agree with an observation made to me recently by a visitor from abroad who said there is very little to do in Dublin, and perhaps throughout Ireland in general, for young people who do not drink? Is it part of his strategy in fund raising these grounds to find alternative recreation and sporting outlets for young people who do not drink? The Minister will be aware, as I am, of the concern expressed recently by responsible medical and other people who see the damage caused by alcohol which is as bad as that caused by drugs. Is it part of the Minister's strategy to provide more outlets which are not drink related?

Dr. McDaid: Yes, that is the policy of the Department under the aegis of my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Ryan. I hope we can implement such a policy. Some £25 million has been provided under the youth facilities scheme, all of which has yet to be drawn down. During the Deputy's Administration the URBAN programme was committed to it. It is a matter of getting all the facilities which came under the URBAN programme, my colleague's programme and those which come under the aegis of my Department to do something about it. A great deal of money is involved. In my Department's capital programme for example, £31 million is currently committed to more than 900 projects. The combined effect of the URBAN project which was administered by Deputy Allen and the current programme will be to make more facilities available.

Mr. O'Shea: Reference is made to this issue in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Has the Irish Sports Council begun to implement this programme and what actions have emanated from the council? How much money will be available annually for this programme?

Dr. McDaid: The members of the Irish Sports Council presented me with the report and told me of their plans for the future. The council is determined that there is little point in setting up a sports council unless it can achieve something. The calibre of those involved in the council is very high.

The council has not made any proposals regarding the amount of funding required to implement its policy, which it intends to do after 2001.

National Stadium.

41. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the status of the proposed national sports stadium. [9929/00]

45. Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the number of meetings held to date by the board of trustees of the national stadium; and the estimated overall cost of the stadium. [11511/00]

48. Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress with regard to the Government plans for a national stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11491/00]

56. Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation when the proposed development company to take the national stadium project through the design and construction stage will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11494/00]

265. Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has reached a final decision in the matter of the provision of a national stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11778/00]

Following on the Taoiseach's announcement of the Government's decision to proceed with plans to build a campus of sporting excellence and national stadium, to be known as Sports Campus Ireland and representing a total investment of £281 million, I have discussed this topic in the House on a number of occasions through parliamentary questions, most recently on 8 March and previously during a special debate on 9 February.

Members will be aware of the Government's decision to proceed with plans to build a campus of sporting excellence, including an 80,000 all seated national stadium, to be known as Sports Campus Ireland. This decision was informed by the feasibility study carried out by the consultants to the stadium steering committee and the committee's recommendations.

Having been identified by the consultants and recommended by the steering committee, the site at Abbotstown in west Dublin was accepted by the Government as the optimum location for the proposed sports campus and stadium.

Since I answered questions on this matter on 8 March last, the Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Company that will take the project through the design and construction stage has been established. The board of the new company, which is chaired by Mr Paddy Teahon, currently Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach, met for the first time on 29 March last, when it was addressed by the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and myself. An advertisement for executive services had been published with a closing date of 28 April. One of the first tasks of the company is to examine the feasibility of providing some of the infrastructure for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2003, including an aquatic centre.

It is expected that the board of trustees, in whom the Sports Campus Ireland asset will be vested, will be established in the near future.

Mr. Gormley: Is the Minister satisfied that he has thought through this matter in detail? Is he aware that the cost of moving the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development facility is £60 million? Has that cost been part of the Minister's calculation?

What is the status of negotiations with the FAI and others whose co-operation with the project was proving difficult to achieve?

Dr. McDaid: Negotiations with other Departments is a matter for the Department of Finance. Those negotiations are ongoing and will be discussed by the Cabinet at the appropriate time.

The Sports Campus Ireland project is going ahead. A development company has been appointed. The campus was intended to provide an infrastructure for all the national sports governing bodies and national organisations so that no organisation would have to enter into financial commitments to build a stadium for itself. The FAI has decided to go ahead with its own project. The association will be welcome at any stage to join in the national stadium project. That would be my preferred option. However, the FAI wishes to have its own emotional home and I am prepared to accept that decision while continuing with the development of Sports Campus Ireland.

Mr. Allen: Will the Minister reassess the projected cost of the stadium, which has been estimated at £280 million, given that people who know about stadia claim this project will cost between £400 and £500 million when it is completed?

Will the Minister reconsider the matter in the light of the recent statement by Mr. Seán Quinn, iar-uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, that the GAA should consider allowing multifunctional use of Croke Park? This statement allows for the possible use of Croke Park by the IRFU. Before the Minister spends any more taxpayers' money on Sports Campus Ireland will he enter into realistic negotiations with the GAA regarding the multifunctional use of Croke Park?

Dr. McDaid: I met officials of the GAA last week and I was also invited to address the GAA annual congress banquet on Saturday evening and at no time were any of these matters raised with me. The GAA released a press statement at 1 o'clock today which I will read to the House. It states:

Following recent speculation and assumptions based on a report of discussions which took place at a workshop at congress in Galway last weekend, the GAA wishes to affirm that its policy in relation to its use of grounds has not changed.

The GAA is already on record as welcoming and supporting the Government decision to proceed with the development of a national stadium and sports complex. The association also welcomes the fact that this stadium can accommodate Gaelic games and anticipates that Gaelic games will be played in this stadium when constructed in the second half of this decade.

These policies and views represent the official agreed position of the association and any other interpretation is at variance with the facts.

 

I have heard various rumours regarding the cost of Sports Campus Ireland. Some say the projected cost is too high and others say it is too low. That will be a matter for the development company.

Mr. O'Shea: The consultants' report states that in 15 stadia in other locations which were examined there was an average cost overrun of 73%. The initial projected cost of the national sports stadium was £281 million. There was a subsequent announcement that a 50 metre pool would be part of the complex. What is the cost of this pool in addition to the initial £281 million? Is it correct to assume the project will cost more than £500 million?

Dr. McDaid: No. From the feasibility study, which was conducted by consultants of the highest calibre, the costing-----

Mr. O'Shea: I am referring to the figure contained in the report.

Dr. McDaid: In their report the consultants estimated the cost at £281 million. This does not include the cost of a 50 metre swimming pool which has now become a priority with the Special Olympic Games due to held here in 2003. It has been proposed that we should build a swimming pool of international standard through the provision of diving facilities. A private investor has indicated that they would be willing to support the provision of such facilities. It is now a matter for the development company which will assess the cost on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Gormley: When did the Minister last meet the FAI to discuss the matter? Is he disappointed at its reaction and are relations strained as a result? How can he be confident about obtaining planning permission given that permission has been refused for major shopping centres on the periphery on the grounds that they would cause traffic congestion?

Mr. Allen: The Minister is confident that the project will be viable. Aside from the swimming pool element has the Minister or the Taoiseach invited or received any offers of investment from the private sector?

Dr. McDaid: Relations between the Government and the FAI are not strained. The Taoiseach and I continue to attend and be invited to functions. There are disagreements and differences of opinion but we agree to disagree. The FAI is entitled to continue with its own stadium. I have not met the association nor has it requested a meeting with me since it met the Taoiseach recently at which time it outlined that it was prepared to go it alone. I have been asked if people living in the area have been consulted about the stadium. They will be able to voice through the planning process any objections they may have which will be considered in the first instance by the local authorities and ultimately An Bord Pleanála. The only offer of private investment has been received from Mr. J. P. McManus of £50 million. There is a possibility of a smaller but welcome sum for the provision of swimming pool facilities. Sporting organisations have a unique opportunity to avail of the stadium for major international events and as a consequence directly fund their constituent members. I am confident that the project will be viable.

Mr. S. Ryan: Does the Minister accept that his Department and the Department of Finance are putting the cart before the horse? Given the expenditure involved in this project would it not be proper to engage in pre-planning consultation with the relevant planning authority? This has not been done to date.

Dr. McDaid: It will be part of the remit of the development company to engage in consultations with all the people living in the area. They will have an opportunity to air their views through the planning process.

(Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate).

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